Abstinence/Waiting/Lust/Sin

[FredBotswana]

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am a Christian man who deeply desires to be married someday. I have been praying earnestly for God to lead me to the woman He has ordained for me. By His grace, I have been able to remain sexually abstinent for several months at a time—sometimes six months, sometimes even as long as eight months.

However, there comes a point when the battle against sexual temptation becomes very intense on the sixth or eighth month. Sadly, instead of standing firm, I give in and commit sexual sin. Each time this happens, I repent sincerely and seek the Lord's forgiveness, but I also find myself wondering how to overcome this recurring struggle.

I know that God is faithful, and I truly desire to walk in purity and honor Him with both my body and my heart. I am not looking to justify my sin, but rather to seek biblical wisdom, encouragement, and practical counsel from fellow believers who may have walked a similar path.

How have you remained steadfast in seasons of prolonged waiting? What Scriptures, disciplines, or godly practices have helped you resist temptation while trusting God's timing for marriage? Does this succumbing to temptation prolongs the time of me meeting that woman?

Thank you, and may the Lord bless you all.

 

[quietthinker]

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am a Christian man who deeply desires to be married someday. I have been praying earnestly for God to lead me to the woman He has ordained for me. By His grace, I have been able to remain sexually abstinent for several months at a time—sometimes six months, sometimes even as long as eight months.

However, there comes a point when the battle against sexual temptation becomes very intense on the sixth or eighth month. Sadly, instead of standing firm, I give in and commit sexual sin. Each time this happens, I repent sincerely and seek the Lord's forgiveness, but I also find myself wondering how to overcome this recurring struggle.

I know that God is faithful, and I truly desire to walk in purity and honor Him with both my body and my heart. I am not looking to justify my sin, but rather to seek biblical wisdom, encouragement, and practical counsel from fellow believers who may have walked a similar path.

How have you remained steadfast in seasons of prolonged waiting? What Scriptures, disciplines, or godly practices have helped you resist temptation while trusting God's timing for marriage? Does this succumbing to temptation prolongs the time of me meeting that woman?

Thank you, and may the Lord bless you all.

Look not to your sin nor to your pride in overcoming but look to Jesus; he has forgiven you, he will strengthen you, he will give you good judgement. Just like the Hebrews in the desert bitten by snakes; their healing came from looking outside themselves to the brass serpent Moses erected, a symbol of Jesus and his Grace.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

 

[PS95]

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am a Christian man who deeply desires to be married someday. I have been praying earnestly for God to lead me to the woman He has ordained for me. By His grace, I have been able to remain sexually abstinent for several months at a time—sometimes six months, sometimes even as long as eight months.

However, there comes a point when the battle against sexual temptation becomes very intense on the sixth or eighth month. Sadly, instead of standing firm, I give in and commit sexual sin. Each time this happens, I repent sincerely and seek the Lord's forgiveness, but I also find myself wondering how to overcome this recurring struggle.

I know that God is faithful, and I truly desire to walk in purity and honor Him with both my body and my heart. I am not looking to justify my sin, but rather to seek biblical wisdom, encouragement, and practical counsel from fellow believers who may have walked a similar path.

How have you remained steadfast in seasons of prolonged waiting? What Scriptures, disciplines, or godly practices have helped you resist temptation while trusting God's timing for marriage? Does this succumbing to temptation prolongs the time of me meeting that woman?

Thank you, and may the Lord bless you all.

Such a good question. I do hear your heart. I can only say that either way, your body will naturally release what's inside while asleep.
God knows that you desire a wife to love and share with, and not have to succumb to self-release. Keep trusting Him on that, but do you suppose that means that you can't ask someone out on a date to see if you like each other?
If you do that, pray and seek His counsel. I see no harm in that. Just ask Him to please guide your decisions.
You need to truly like each other- the sex is great, but as time goes on the friendship and your commitment to God is the most important part. I will pray for you.

 

[Angelina]

Hi @FredBotswana, welcome to Christianity Board. Our library has some wonderful keys to help deal with daily struggles. Here is one from brother @bdavidc. Which will help understand some of those struggles. There is more information and help there, so feel free to look around. Welcome again.

Teaching - *The Voice You're Following Is Deciding Your Future: Lust vs Trust

The Voice You’re Following Is Deciding Your Future There are two voices that show up every day of your life. One is loud, urgent, and impatient. The other is steady, quiet, and sure. One says move now. The other says, "Trust Me." That first voice is the pull of the flesh. Scripture doesn’t...

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